Biota (BTA) is an Australian based, anti-infective drug development company.

The group specialises in the discovery and development of pharmaceuticals, focusing on research for the treatment of viral respiratory diseases, particularly influenza (flu).

Recently, BTA announced that Japan-based Daiichi Sankyo has received approval to manufacture and market its product, Inavir.

Inavir is an anti-viral drugs designed to treat or prevent influenza infections.

Under the agreement, BTA will receive a royalty on all sales in Japan, and both companies are now in talks to market Inavir to the rest of the world.

BTA will be one of the top shares to watch in coming months, as the market waits to see whether the group can successfully launch Inavir on a global scale.

BTA shares rocketed 17% on day of the announcement, making it one of the best performers on the Australian share market.

Centro Retail Group (CER) is a diversified property trust with domestic and international assets by shopping centre format. It currently has a market capitalisation of over $360 million.

CER has recorded a $113.3 million net profit in FY10, compared to a $2.7 billion loss a year earlier, which makes it one of the shares to watch.

The result was driven mainly by the huge asset write-downs in FY09, as property income actually fell 22% due to adverse foreign exchange movements.

CER is struggling to contain its mountainous debt, with the group advising that its planned restructure and recapitalisation are now expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

CER was also cautious about the outlook, stating that the US market conditions were difficult, and that it was contending with a constrained capital environment in both Australia and the US.

CER failed to declare a final distribution, yet still managed to fly 6.5% yesterday.

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Australian Shares Macquarie Group (MQG)                                                 30 April 2010

Macquarie Group (MQG) is a leading investment bank with a market capitalisation of $16 billion. It provides banking, financial advisory, investment and funds management services to both retail and institutional clients.

In Australian share news, MQG announced its full year results today.  FY10 net profit rose 21% to $1.05 billion, slightly exceeding analyst expectations of a net profit of $1.02 billion.

Driving the increase was a solid performance across MQG’s securities, fixed income, currencies, and commodities divisions, as well as a reduction in impairments charges.

Of concern, return on equity was largely flat at 10% while capital was $4 billion in excess of regulatory requirements, suggesting that MQG needs to ramp up the deployment of its surplus capital.

Although management maintains an uncertain market outlook, it still expects improved operating results across all of MQG’s businesses in FY11.

A final dividend of $1 per share was declared.

The Australian share price for MQG has seesawed since October 2009, trading between $45-53. MQG share price last closed at $50.29.